REALLY? - The Claim - Chamomile Can Soothe a Colicky Baby
Nature can create diseases but she can also soothe and heal our bodies. While you may be allergic to dairy I may use the products as part of a healthy diet, and while you enjoy the perks of sweet sugars another could suffer from diabetes. When things were simpler and the range of resources we had as humans was based on our intuitive skills for survival, individuals used herbs and related remedies. The best thing to note, is the fact that not much research has gone into certain areas of herbal remedy. Are you the type who would choose prescription chemical drugs over herbal myth?
In an article published last week in Science News- The New York Times the discussion is based around the benefits chamomile holds on the choleric child. Babies are known for their strenuous and relentless crying. Home remedies a plenty have been passed since the times of Old Mother Hubbard; from the old-fashioned housewife to the modern day miss independent. But, it sure is funny how the old lessons are learned the best.
The article explains that this choleric behavior is caused by gastrointestinal discomfort. According to the the statistical research within the paper, 57% of the babies who were given chamomile were relieved while the another 26% was relieved from a placebo tea, without chamomile.
Believe it or not the word is that chamomile works. Try some research at home and, as the article states chamomile allergies can be tested by rubbing the skin with the herb. If redness occurs, its a bad sign. And no, it doesn't mean your terribly unnatural or may be a mutant. Even more interesting is how some people seem invincible to such things as allergies while others cant even go outside without taking preliminary precaution!
Friday, September 4, 2009
The Tuesday 2
Posted by NMI at 6:02 PM
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3 comments:
I'm sure lots of parents will be interested in this story. It's interesting that a placebo can work (sometimes) with an infant, since I thought the placebo effect was psychological, and these babies are too young to understand that they're being given something medicinal (or supposed to be). Maybe regular tea also is soothing or just the act of sipping any beverage. I also wondered how adults might use chamomile.
Well, I interpreted the term placebo to mean more of a control...perhaps it was a placebo for the observers, because of course a baby can not diagnose itself. And like you said, tea is soothing and depending on how serious the intestinal problems are could determine how potent a tea the child would need. I think the moral of the story is that herbal remedies like teas are not only healthy in the psychological soothing that aids in healing, but also that certain teas such as chamomile can induce stronger results. Also, for example, items like nutmeg can induce toxic effects in large doses while adding flavor in small doses. Even more fascinating is the way herbal remedies are derived from ancient practice. Items such as myrrh which were used for different reasons in Chinese medicine and Western herbalism practices. So perhaps the ideas and traditions attached to certain herbal remedies changes the effect it has on a person?
-hope that's not tooo much of a tangent
Noura, sounds like you have an interest in herbal remedies. That could be a future article? Are any of them proven to be effective? Is it possible that some may work even if we don't understand how?
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